I am currently working on this painting and this was an early stage where it was a few months ago. I felt at the time that it could be finished at that early stage and I didn’t want to do much more with it. I put it aside for a few weeks, which is what I do when I am not sure about a work in progress.

In the above image is where it had come to in the beginning stages. In the first layer I used sand with PVA, which I haven’t used sense my previous trees series. I used the sand to start the beginnings of the composition and then when the PVA mixed with the sand dried I painted the next layer which was oils and colour with oil sticks to mark make. I painted loosely where the painting seemed to want to go toward. I left it for a few weeks and felt it needed to warmer and brighter. So far this is its progress.. it may be concluded but I’ll give it time to rest.

Painting in oils and coldwax. Mixed with drawing and mark making in
charcoal and pencil. Full moon was on my mind at the time of making this
painting and I was very much affected by a recent full moon at the time
of when this came work about.

This is my first painting of 2019 which is almost finished. For some reason the thoughts of the planets aligning came to mind somewhere during the process. It could be to do with a philosophical conversation I had with my father when I was back home for Christmas. We were talking about the idea of existence and how perfectly aligned the planets are.. how they came into existence and where we fit in the broader spectrum.. It went on for a while..

Its a constant wonder I have of the universe and where we come from. This is a life long wonder I developed from childhood. I was fascinated by the stars at night and watching documentaries on TV about the galaxy and others beyond.. This is why I love to surround myself in the open landscape and forests as strange as it may sound. I become aware of my size and sometimes questions of my significance momentarily pass through my thoughts.

I have now added a news page to my website, this will be updated from time to time with upcoming events and exhibitions I am involved in.

My next exhibition opens next weekend in Frame Experts Gallery for Ranelagh arts members group Christmas show. Along side some great talented artists of various styles, there is something for everyone and to suit all pockets!

I have finally decided to add my own online shop to my website, It has just been added and I am putting up my original art works for sale online. Its just new and I want to put up work with as much detail as possible so you can have a real feel for the painting and whats on its surface, colour and texture. I hope you bare with me as come back often to see whats for sale.

I have lots of new work on the way and I am very excited with the new direction my work is taking me. I hope it can bring some joy to you and perhaps even make you want to have some of my art on your wall in a new home for always. Making art brings me so much happiness and I hope it can bring something new and fresh to you!

Come back to check my new work out as it develops and be part of my journey!

‘Entering The Dream’, the title of this painting and of my upcoming solo exhibition in Ranalagh Arts, Dublin in just 2 weeks time. I hope to bring a piece of the forest and my surrounding rural landscape into the city for a little space in time.. I have a passion for exploring forests and being surrounded by the sight, smells and sounds. It takes me back to my childhood when I was just a little thing full of wonder and innocence. How the world has changed and everything around us.. seeing life and how the cycle of old and new continues from one into the next.. The ‘broken trees’ that stand out in the open spaces of the landscape recall these such thoughts..

‘Entering the Dream’ opens with guest speaker and artist Michael Gemmell, May 24th at Ranalagh Arts. Time of opening TBA..